Pharmacists’ drug reform eases pressure on GPs

CHEMISTS from today can offer prescription drugs to treat seven common conditions including ear ache, sinusitis and shingles.

Pharmacy First will mean sufferers can avoid a trip to the GP and so ease pressure on family doctor practices.

More than 10,000 pharmacies have joined the NHS scheme – 90% of those in England.

Chemists can also supply prescription-only drugs for conditions including sore throats, impetigo, uncomplicated urinary tract infections and infected bites and stings.

More than 5,300 pharmacies have been offering over-thecounter oral contraception without a GP visit since December.

NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: “This is all part of major transformation in the way the NHS delivers care, with the health service determined to give people more choice in how they can access treatment.”

Malcolm Harrison, of the Company Chemists’ Association, said he was confident the scheme would “make a strong case for its expansion to cover further common conditions”. NHS chiefs said the service, with more pharmacy blood pressure checking and contraception services, would save up to 10 million GP appointments a year.

A survey of almost 1,000 Superdrug customers found 63% would use the Pharmacy First service if it meant they could get a prescription faster. The chain said staff had done extra training in the seven conditions.

Boots boss Seb James added: “The service makes it easier for patients to access care, allows our pharmacists to further utilise their skills and reduces pressures on GP surgeries.”